Trump Angry At Melania For Pushing Him To Endorse Dr. Oz: Report

Former President Donald Trump has reportedly blamed his wife, Melania Trump, for advising him to endorse Dr. Mehmet Oz in the Senate race against Democrat Lt. Gov. John Fetterman in Pennsylvania.

Fetterman pulled a narrow victory against Oz in the race, earning 50.89% of votes compared to the latter's 46.69%, as per NPR.

In a tweet, New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman stated that Trump described Melania's decision to push him to back Oz's bid as "not her best decision."

"Trump is indeed furious this morning, particularly about Mehmet Oz, and is blaming everyone who advised him to back Oz -- including his wife, describing it as not her best decision, according to people close to him," Haberman wrote.

"Worth remembering that Trump is a grown man who endorsed Oz over the objection of some of the people closest to him, and instead went beyond just endorsing and attacked Dave McCormick from the stage at a rally," she added.

Trump later took to Truth Social to apologize to Melania and Fox News host Sean Hannity for reports about his reaction to Oz's electoral defeat. He also said the reporting was "fake" and was "promulgated by third-rate reporter Hagaman."

"There is a Fake Story being promulgated by third-rate reporter Maggie Hagaman of the Failing New York Times, that I am blaming our great former First Lady, Melania, and Sean Hannity, that I was angry with their pushing me to Endorse Dr. Oz," Trump wrote. "I'd like to apologize to Melania and Sean Hannity for all of the Fake News and fictional stories."

Oz, a TV doctor, earned Trump's endorsement in Pennsylvania's Senate primary despite having no prior political experience. He previously promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment and encouraged Fox News viewers to join a "self-reported" clinical trial for the drug.

Republicans viewed Oz's bid as a possible win against Fetterman, especially after the latter was criticized for his lack of transparency over his health. Fetterman suffered a stroke days before the primary and required a pacemaker implant.

According to an ABC News count, at least 13 other Trump-backed candidates lost or lagged behind other candidates in their states in the midterm elections.